Tom &'Caz Lockhart, Milton Keynes

The support has been excellent

SNACK-IN-THE-BOX'(SITB) has had a positive affect on my lifestyle. As my own boss I am now in control of my timetable and have managed to build a successful business around my family commitments. On average I spend four days a week on the road, visiting clients and re-filling the self-service boxes while my wife Caz does the administration and banking.

This is a refreshing change from my previous occupation working as an Accountant Technician. I was chained to my desk, did not get to spend much quality time with Caz and our two children and was fed up with taking orders. We started our Milton Keynes business in 2007 and have increased the weekly turnover to £1,900. By the end of March we aim to have our SITB franchise generating £2,100 a week.

SITB appealed because it is associated with Cadbury, which is a reputable quality confectionary manufacturer. It was the ideal investment for me because SITB has low overheads - it is run from home so the only outlay is a van. The business can be built to a size you can manage and the concept is virtually recession proof. This is because the self-service snack boxes are placed in offices and other work environments at no expense to the employer, enabling the workers to buy themselves their favourite chocolate bar to enjoy at their desks without feeling the credit pinch!

A week before I started my business I was put on a five-day training course where I was taught the basics of running my own SITB franchise. This covered accounts, ordering stock and canvassing. The support has been excellent - the Development Manager visits regularly and suggests ways to canvass my territory, which has helped me increase my turnover by roughly 30 per cent in the last three months.